A temporary form of facial paralysis affecting 40,000 Americans each year, Bell's palsy results from trauma to the seventh cranial nerve, also called the facial nerve. Usually, Bell's palsy affects only one of the pair of facial nerves, resulting in nerve dysfunction on only one side of the face, although occasionally both nerves are affected. Drooping of one side of the face, inability to close your eyes, headache or pain can all occur. Vitamin therapy has helped Bell's palsy in a limited number of studies.
Vitamin B12
Because vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve degeneration, B12 has been used in several studies to treat Bell's palsy. Vitamin B12 has shown some benefit, either alone or in addition to steroid medications, in the treatment of Bell's palsy, although the available studies were all done in the 1980s and 1990s. A 1995 study conducted by lead author M.A. Jalaludin of the University of Malaysia, found that people with Bell's palsy who received 500mcg of injectable vitamin B12, also called methylcobalam, three times a week for eight weeks with or without steroids recovered faster than those given steroids alone. This effect most likely occurs only with injected B12 supplements and not with oral supplements, according to the University of Michigan Health System website. In addition, this study has not been validated or replicated.
Vitamin B6
B-complex vitamin use in treating Bell's palsy is based on the fact that B vitamins assist in nerve functioning. According to the Bell's Palsy Information Site, vitamin B6 plays a part in synthesizing amino acids, the building blocks for the creation of proteins, which form new cells.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 may help increase circulation to the muscle, which decreases when the muscles become paralyzed in Bell's palsy, according to the Bell's Palsy Information Site.
