I know selenium is used to help rebuild glutathione (part of the body’s antiox defense system) and it would make sense that an athlete would use up more of it than the average person in antioxidant defense, because of the fact that the body’s antioxidant system is up-regulated when exercised. You got any recommendations about how much is potentially used up? 1.5X 2X, 3X? Who knows.
600mcg is quite a bit. Although you won’t know how it affects you without a blood test. Anyone had a blood test who also happened to track their intake? Also, now that I’m thinking about it, you’d have to keep in mind that ALA (alpha lipoic acid) and NAC N-acetyl Cysteine also have a role in the production of glutathione so most likely you’d have to know those values as well.
I also know that having a low level of glutathione will increase absorption of selenium, so maybe the reverse is true as well, in which case taking a non-toxic level is most likely just fine even if it’s 2-3X the RDA; although A, C, and E also affect absorption, so watch those values as well. If you take mega doses of any of those nutrients, then pay even more attention to a selenium intake that’s over 2X above RDA. Keep in mind, the RDA is around 55 mcg but 200 mcg is probably completely safe for athletes, but 400 is the upper intake level set by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.
One study I found showed that an athelete’s antioxidant defense (via glutathione) was not dependent on blood selenium levels. Also, while selenium requirements are increased in athletes, the amount required is not directly tied to energy expenditure.
http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=20053094686
I’m not sure if that study took into consideration other factors like ALA or NAC levels. Also, you have to consider about 100 other factors that I don’t even know much about. For example, hormone levels can have a direct impact on things like glutathione, SOD, and catalase levels. For example, birth control pills increase glutahione and CAT enzymes. I think this would mean that selenium needs would be at least slightly increased in women on the pill, but I’m not sure if I’m thinking about this the right way.
I’d love if someone like Bill Roberts was able to chime in on the subject.