Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and medical practices have become increasingly popular in Western and developed nations, especially among older adults . It has been reported that the use of CAM in the US reached 36% in 2002, and it is likely that the number is even higher now. Many products (and practices) can fall under the umbrella of CAM, and some include herbal products, vitamins/minerals, nutraceuticals , as well as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and Ayurvedic medicines (AM) . These products are often perceived as “safe” because of their basis on plants or “natural” ingredients, and because they have been used for millennia in different cultural settings. However, risks can be associated with their use, especially in “self-care” practices. Among the causes of risk is the content of metals or metalloids (often unscientifically referred to as “heavy metals”) in the products. Metals (such as lead, cadmium, mercury) and metalloids (such as arsenic) can be present in CAMs through the deliberate addition of minerals or processed minerals, or as a contaminant (or even as an adulterant) of plants used in the preparations .