Vitamin C Deficiency as a Risk Factor for Bell's Palsy: A New Association

A 28-year-old female developed gum hypertrophy after five months of Bell's palsy (BP). The vitamin C level was severely low. After vitamin C supplementation for one month, gingival hypertrophy was completely resolved. Facial deviation also improved following rehabilitation. Vitamin C is commonly considered as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulator, and it hastens recovery of neuritis caused by herpes (cause of BP). BP too has an immune-inflammatory background. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, vitamin C deficiency has been reported as a cause or triggering/risk factor for Bell's palsy and at the same time immune-inflammation triggered in BP also may lead to vitamin C deficiency as existing vitamin C in the body starts scavenging free radicals to prevent oxidative damage. Vitamin C levels must be checked in all cases of BP, and intake of vitamin C-rich food should be encouraged in people who are at risk of developing BP.