A review of more than 350 studies led by University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher Dudley Lamming, published in Cell Press, found that sedentary adults consuming more protein than they need may see improved metabolism and reduced inflammation by cutting back, according to ScienceDaily. Lower protein intake was linked to higher levels of a hormone associated with energy expenditure, along with improved blood sugar in human trials. The authors cautioned that older adults, pregnant women, and athletes typically need more protein, and that recommendations should vary by activity level rather than apply uniformly.