FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice.

Cold weather shipping issues

Our colloids will be damaged if the liquid freezes completely solid with no liquid remaining unfrozen. In order to be able to ship our products during the winter months we must restrict the shipping methods to the faster expedited FedEx modes of 3 Day, 2 Day, and 1 Day. While it may not be freezing temperatures where you are located, say California, the product would transit colder parts of the country on the way to you.

In addition we must pack our products in special Styrofoam shipping containers to help prevent freezing damage. Should ice be found in the bottles, the products will most likely return to normal once the product thaws. Please do not call to report bottles that are found with ice in them until they have a chance to thaw out. If the color returns to normal, then the product is OK.

In some very cold states we can only ship by 2 Day and 1 Day service. When using the shopping cart to place orders the shipping method will be restricted in the cold states according to the expected low temperatures.

In some cases packages cannot be shipped on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday because the packages would freeze in unheated trucks or warehouses over the weekend. So while the shipping is specified as 1 Day or 2 Day, the package may be held until Monday so that the product is not kept in the cold over the weekend. For this reason, expedited shipping methods will not necessarily arrive according to the normal FedEx business day counts.

If you live in a very cold area it is important that you provide a shipping address where someone is available during the day to receive the package from the FedEx driver so that the package is not left outside where it could potentially freeze.

Carboy opening instructions

Purest Colloids carboys are equipped with a locking cap to prevent inadvertent or unintentional opening. The locking mechanism consists of a plastic ring which fits around the neck of the carboy. This ring has plastic pins extending upward to engage the cap. There are two methods of removing the cap:

  • Fasten a strap wrench with sufficiently long handle or large channel lock pliers around the cap, above the plastic ring, and twist until the pins break and the cap can be removed.
  • The pins are located directly under the ribs on the cap. If one uses a thin blade, such as a razor, one can insert the blade under each rib, between the cap and the ring, and cut each pin. After the pins have been cut, the cap can be removed easily.

How can pages be printed?

When attempting to print web pages, if the text on the right side is cut off on the printed version, the browser text size must be changed to so that all the text will fit on the printed line.

Before printing, set the browser text size to Smaller. On MS Internet Explorer do this by selecting the View menu (along the top of the browser) , then Text Size, then Smaller.

What does MesoSilver taste like?

Taste is very subjective. The sensitivity of our sense of taste can vary widely depending on our health, diet, life style and other factors. Our sense of taste can and does change over time. To many people MesoSilver tastes like water, meaning it has no noticeable taste.

Those with more sensitive taste buds will taste a slight metallic taste owing to the small amount of ionic silver present in MesoSilver. It is not unusual for new users of MesoSilver to report it is tasteless and weeks or months later to report a metallic taste and wonder why the taste has changed over time. In reality the taste has not changed over time but the users taste buds have gotten more sensitive over time from using MesoSilver.

Usually, the metallic taste is minimized by swallowing right away, not letting the liquid remain in the mouth for sublingual absorption.

Feeling worse before feeling better?

The Herxheimer Reaction is a short-term (from days to a few weeks) detoxification reaction in the body. As the body detoxifies, it is not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms including headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, sweating, chills, itching, rashes, nausea or other symptoms.

The Herxheimer reaction can be lessened by drinking large quantities of distilled water to help purge the body of toxins. More details here...

Medical Advice

Only medical doctors can provide medical advice. We are not medical doctors and therefore cannot provide medical advice. Please do not email us with questions concerning symptoms or diagnosis of any medical condition or any other question that can be construed as seeking medical advice.

How can I order without a credit card?

We accept payment by money order as well as credit card.

How to determine the total cost including shipping.

To determine the shipping cost, use the web site shopping cart to enter an order as though a credit card were being used for payment. Select the products to be purchased as well as the shipping method (ground, 2nd Day Air, Overnight Air, etc). For orders shipping outside of the U.S. the destination country must be selected first before entering the address. The web site will then calculate the total cost including shipping. Be sure to press the "Recalculate" button at the bottom of the second page to make sure that the shipping cost for the selected shipping method is properly reflected in the displayed total price.

Make payment

Send a postal money order, bank money order, or international money order, as appropriate for the amount determined by the web site shopping cart. Send payment to this address.

We will ship the order within 24 hours of receiving the money order, usually the same day.

What happens if the colloid freezes?

Freezing can damage a true colloid. A hard freeze, meaning frozen completely solid thru and thru with no liquid remaining, will cause the suspended particles to fall to the bottom. After thawing, if the color has changed to clear like water then the colloid is irreversible damaged. This refers to MesoSilver and MesoGold primarily because they normally have a pronounced color, Mesocopper normally looks as clear as water. If the color is normal, then the colloid is OK. Ionic silver solutions which contain most of the silver content in the form of silver ions (dissolved silver) will not be harmed by freezing.

Is printed material provided with the products?

All product information is provided on the web site, no additional material is available or provided.

Are these products sold in stores or pharmacies?

At this time our products are only sold on the internet. They can be ordered on the web site or by telephone.

What is the shelf life of the Mesocolloids?

Our colloid products made from noble metals (silver, gold, platinum, palladium, and iridium) have an infinite shelf life. Titanium, while not a noble metal also has an infinite shelf life.

Colloids made from non-noble metals (i.e. copper and zinc) have a limited shelf life, typically 4 to 6 months, once the bottle is opened. Air, which includes oxygen, enters the bottle when it is opened. The oxygen will cause the metal nanoparticles to slowly oxidize converting them into their ionic state. For this reason, it is best to purchase a bottle size that you would expect to consume in 4 months or less.

Storage of Mesocolloids

Refrigeration is not required for any of the products. To maximize shelf life it is best to:

  • avoid storing the Mesocolloids at temperatures above about 80 degrees F.
  • store bottle to avoid direct sunlight.
  • do not drink directly from the bottle, pour from the bottle into a dispenser spoon or cup
  • do not pour any unused liquid back into the bottle.

Various bottle types

The same product liquid is available in several bottle types. For example, MesoSilver is sold in a 4 oz spray bottle as well as a 250 mL (8.45 fl. oz) and 500 mL (16.9 fl. oz) size bottle. It is the same MesoSilver product in all bottles.

Does MesoSilver harm the beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract?

The small intestine in a healthy individual is teaming with various strains of acidophilus which MesoSilver may potentially kill if it proceeded far enough through the GI tract. We believe that MesoSilver is absorbed in the first feet of the small intestine and therefore should not progress far enough through the GI to cause any problems.

It may well be that, in a healthy person whose small intestine is fully colonized by various strains of acidophilus, there would be no noticeable adverse affect from ingestion of colloidal silver; but a person whose gut is already compromised due to some other condition (yeast, diverticulitis, etc.) may find that they should take an acidophilus supplement. Yeast is a natural occurrence in everyone's intestinal tract. In a healthy person, yeast may constitute about 5-10% of the total flora in the intestinal tract, and as long as the acidophilus is the predominant constituent in the small intestine, yeast cannot get out of control. 

However, when Doctors prescribe one antibiotic after another the antibiotics destroy all colonies of acidophilus in the small intestine and the yeast can then grow completely out of control very rapidly. Through the yeast's normal metabolic processes, it creates a pH that is much more alkaline than is conducive to the growth and proliferation of acidophilus, and the acidophilus cannot reestablish itself once the yeast has taken over. Thus, anything that has antibiotic properties that is taken over a long period of time could potentially compromise the colonies of acidophilus and allow yeast to take over. Basically, anything that reduces the amount of healthy flora in my intestinal tract will only serve to assist the yeast. 

It is estimated that 50% or more of the U.S. population have yeast overgrowth to one extent or another, though most don't know it (they long have since forgotten what it was like to have a healthy intestinal tract, and attribute their discomforts to age). Subsequently, we cannot rely on those taking our product to have healthy intestinal tracts prior to taking our product, and there is the potential that colloidal silver could further deteriorate the acidophilus. In practice, very few users have reported any problems in their GI tract as a result of using MesoSilver. Those that believe they have experienced a change in their GI tract have used an acidophilus supplement on an occasional basis and experienced no further difficulty.

Can MesoSilver and MesoGold be taken along with prescription drugs?

Yes. MesoSilver and MesoGold do not interfere with or interact with medications. Both gold and silver are noble metals, which means they do not readily combine with other substances to form compounds, so they do not interact with medications, herbs, or other supplements.

Can MesoSilver and MesoGold be given to infants and children?

Yes. As a general rule dosage should be adjusted for the reduced body weight of children and infants. Dosage of one teaspoon for every 70 pounds of body weight is generally appropriate.

Can MesoSilver be used for pets and large animals?

Yes. MesoSilver is commonly used on pets and large animals for many infections, such as ringworm, staph infections, and eye infections.

Can the Mesocolloids can be taken together, or at the same time?

Yes. Since the Mesocolloids are all true colloids, meaning they are not ionic solutions, they can be taken together without any interactions.

Why are the Mesocolloids shipped in plastic bottles when many other companies say that only glass should be used?

True colloids consists of particles, not ions, and do not require glass bottles. Our products are shipped in PET plastic bottles. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a form of polyester. PET is commonly used to package soft drinks, water, and fruit juice. PET plastic bottles are the single most prevalent beverage bottle produced in the world today. A product that must stored in a glass bottle is most certainly an ionic product, not a true colloid.

Why are the Mesocolloids sold in clear bottles, not amber or blue colored bottles like many other products?

Mesocolloids are not photosensitive.

The ionic silver solutions produced by generators used by home hobbyists tend to be photosensitive and will deteriorate over a short period of time if not shielded from visible light. By storing such solutions in amber bottles the deterioration is reduced. The most photosensitive solutions are produced using the low voltage DC process, often by using several 9 volt batteries. The requirement for an amber bottle indicates a photosensitive, unstable solution. Only the lowest quality solutions are photosensitive.

High quality products are not photosensitive and do not require an amber bottle.

Does MesoSilver cause Argyria?

No, MesoSilver does not cause Argyria. Argyria is a discoloration of the skin wherein the skin turns a blue-grey color as a result of over exposure to certain forms of silver. Argyria is known to be caused by ingesting; 1) silver salts (compounds) such as silver nitrate, 2) high concentrations of ionic silver, 3) protein based silver products aka "silver protein" or "mild silver protein", 4) Inhalation of high concentrations of silver dust as found in silver mines and silver refining operations. While some so-called "experts" claim that all forms of silver can cause argyria, that statement is not true. Argyria is not caused by true silver colloids which consist of nanometer sized particles of silver in pure water. More ...

Can MesoSilver be taken by a nursing mother?

We do not have any scientific studies that can prove that MesoSilver is safe to use by a nursing mother. It is believed to be safe and many users have used it while nursing. No adverse effects have ever been reported for mother or child.

Is MesoSilver safe to take during pregnancy?

We do not have any scientific studies that can prove that MesoSilver is safe to use during pregnancy. It is believed to be safe and many users have used it during pregnancy. No adverse effects have ever been reported.

Are MesoSilver and MesoGold toxic?

No. MesoGold and MesoSilver are noble metals and are non-toxic. See heavy metal question below.

What is a heavy metal? It depends on who you ask!

According to Chemistry International Vol 23, No.6 November 2001 - "Heavy Metals" - A Meaningless Term

Over the past two decades, the term "heavy metals" has been used increasingly in various publications and in legislation related to chemical hazards and the safe use of chemicals. It is often used as a group name for metals and semimetals (metalloids) that have been associated with contamination and potential toxicity or ecotoxicity. At the same time, legal regulations often specify a list of heavy metals to which they apply. Such lists may differ from one set of regulations to the other, or the term may be used without specifying which heavy metals are covered. In other words, the term "heavy metals" has been used inconsistently. This practice has led to general confusion regarding the significance of the term. The inconsistent use of the term "heavy metals" reflects inconsistency in the scientific literature. It is, therefore, necessary to review the usage that has developed for the term, paying particular attention to its relationship to fundamental chemistry. Without care for the scientific fundamentals, confused thought is likely to prevent advances in scientific knowledge and to lead to bad legislation and to generally bad decision-making.

Def 1.) A generalized definition in common use: One of 23 chemical elements that has a specific gravity (a measure of density) at least five times that of water.

Def 2.) Definition according to OSHA - The term "Heavy Metals" is generally interpreted to include those metals from periodic table groups IIA through VIA. The semi-metallic elements boron, arsenic, selenium, and tellurium are often included in this classification. At trace levels, many of these elements are necessary to support life. However, at elevated levels they become toxic, may build up in biological systems, and become a significant health hazard.

Def 3.) Definition used by many - The term heavy metal refers to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic, highly toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. Examples of heavy metals include mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), thallium (Tl), and lead (Pb).

Heavy metals are dangerous because they tend to bioaccumulate. For example, marine organisms can consume a particularly dangerous form of mercury called methyl mercury. When fish eat these organisms, the methyl mercury is not excreted, but retained in bodily tissues. The older the fish and the more contaminated organisms it has consumed, the greater the amount of methyl mercury in its tissues. When another fish eats the first fish, the accumulated methyl mercury is passed up the food chain, eventually becoming hundreds or thousands of times its original concentration. Any organism at the top of the food chain (humans, polar bears etc.) faces a serious risk of mercury poisoning by eating such fish.

More on heavy metals here.

Can MesoSilver or MesoGold cause heavy metal poisoning?

No. By some definitions silver is considered a heavy metal, but it is also a noble metal. The noble metals are gold, silver, and the platinum group of six metals which includes platinum, rhodium, palladium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium. When used as dietary supplements the noble metals do not cause heavy metal poisoning.

Does silver or gold accumulate in the organs of the body?

No. The metallic particles contained in MesoSilver and MesoGold are in the form of nanometer sized particles. These particles do not accumulate in body tissues or any organs. The nanoparticles are passed out of the body with waste within a few days of being ingested.

Why are these products not FDA approved?

Dietary supplements do not require FDA approval.

The U. S. Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 which spells out the regulations as they apply to dietary supplements. The provisions of DSHEA define dietary supplements and dietary ingredients; establish a new framework for assuring safety; outline guidelines for literature displayed where supplements are sold; provide for use of claims and nutritional support statements; require ingredient and nutrition labeling; and grant FDA the authority to establish good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations. The law also requires formation of an executive level Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels and an Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health.

Here are the details of DSHEA on the FDA web site.

By law (DSHEA), the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its dietary supplement products are safe before they are marketed. Unlike drug products that must be proven safe and effective for their intended use before marketing, there are no provisions in the law for FDA to "approve" dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach the consumer. Also unlike drug products, manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements are not currently required by law to record, investigate or forward to FDA any reports they receive of injuries or illnesses that may be related to the use of their products. Under DSHEA, once the product is marketed, FDA has the responsibility for showing that a dietary supplement is "unsafe," before it can take action to restrict the product's use or removal from the marketplace.

Here is the Overview of Dietary Supplements on the FDA web site.

What would cause MesoSilver to turn clear like water?

MesoSilver will turn clear as water if it is frozen solid or contaminated in use. To prevent contamination:

  • only pour out of the bottle, never pour back into the bottle.
  • never put anything in the bottle such as a Q-Tip, tube, or straw.
  • do not drink from the bottle.
  • do not touch the inside of the bottle cap.
  • do not soak cotton balls by placing over the bottle opening.

When the color is clear, it is not unsafe, although it has lost its effectiveness.

What would cause visible particles in MesoSilver?

There are no visible particles in a bottle of MesoSilver when it is shipped from the factory. MesoSilver is a colloid consisting of silver nanoparticles that are too small to be seen by even the most powerful optical microscopes. However, for a number of reasons, these nanoparticles can aggregate to form larger particles that are visible to the naked eye. These particles can appear like specs of 'black pepper' that have settled to the bottom of the bottle. These particles are not harmful and can be ingested without causing any problems. If the bottle is shaken the particles will temporarily re-disperse.

Potential causes of particle aggregation:

  1. Exposure to cold temperatures or partial freezing.
  2. Contamination of the product due to environmental conditions. Air pollution present in the atmosphere can be absorbed into the liquid and slightly alter the ionic species which can cause some particle aggregation to occur. This also frequently causes the apparent color to change. If you live in a location where you can "see" the air, then it contains substantial pollution. Many large metropolitan areas have air pollution that you can "see"
  3. Contamination of the product by drinking from the bottle or inserting foreign matter into the bottle such as Q-Tips.

To avoid contaminating the bottle never:

  • drink from the bottle
  • insert anything into the bottle (Q-Tip, straw, etc.)
  • pour anything into the bottle

One or more of these conditions may cause the appearance of aggregated particles. The product is not defective and is safe to continue to use.

More FAQs on the silver-colloids.com site.

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