As you might expect, this is a very difficult question to answer with any degree of accuracy. Everyone's body is so different, with varying stages of trace mineral deficiencies. Even so, it is not uncommon for first time users to begin noticing benefits with the first bottle. One of the first things people often report is an increase in energy, and many people experience a greater number of benefits as time goes on. Remember your doctor can't make that boat payment if your not sick.
Someone has to stay very sick to support that industry.
As far as the effect on major illnesses, the law currently states that no health claims may be made for any nutritional product. When these nutrients are taken as directed on the bottle, the body is in a better position to regulate internal chemistry and heal itself. In the case of minerals, colloidal particles are of a size that they will neither float or sink in water. Due to their small size the surface area of these minerals is greatly increased, providing a larger area upon which enzyme activity may take place thus increasing breakdown and eventual absorption. Colloids also have further electro-chemical properties that make them unique.