Wernicke's risk factors include:

• A. Sedentary lifestyle
• B. Vitamin C deficiency
• C. Excess iron intake
• D. Alcohol abuse and chronic vomiting

Answer: (D)

Wernicke's encephalopathy stems from a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), which the brain needs to metabolize glucose properly. Alcohol misuse is a major risk factor because it impairs thiamine absorption in the gut, reduces liver storage, and interferes with its conversion to active forms, while chronic vomiting further depletes thiamine through ongoing loss and inadequate intake. Together, these factors create a setup where brain tissue can’t generate the energy it needs, leading to the neurologic symptoms associated with Wernicke’s. Other options don’t typically contribute to this deficiency—sedentary lifestyle isn’t a direct cause, vitamin C deficiency relates to scurvy, and excess iron intake isn’t linked to thiamine deficiency.