High feed rates of NPN result in the generation of large amounts of ammonia that are adsorbed into the blood and create a change in the acid-base balance of the blood. Studies have shown that clinoptilolite added to the feed of young animals improved their growth rate by stimulating their appetites and decreasing the incidence of diarrhea. The animals on the Clinoptilolite supplemented diets gained 20% more weight on average than those in the control diet. Although the test animals consumed more feed, the feeding costs per kilogram weight gained were significantly less than the control group.