Supplementation with a Salmon Bone Complex (CalGo^®) Preserves Femoral Neck BMD and Attenuates Lumbar Spine Loss: A...

Background/Objectives: Osteopenia is common in postmenopausal women and predisposes to osteoporosis and fracture, representing a population at risk of bone loss but without indication for pharmacologic therapy. Conventional calcium salts offer modest, often transient gains in bone mineral density (BMD). We evaluated whether CalGo^®, a salmon bone complex containing microcrystalline hydroxyapatite within a collagen-rich matrix, preserves BMD versus placebo in post-menopausal women with osteopenia. Methods: In a 24-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 women (50-80 years) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-confirmed femoral-neck osteopenia were assigned to CalGo^® (2 g/day) or placebo. The prespecified primary endpoint was 24-month change in femoral-neck BMD (g/cm²) analyzed by linear regression (unadjusted and baseline-adjusted). Secondary endpoints included lumbar spine and distal radius BMD, serum P1NP and β-CTX-I, health-related quality of life, and safety. Results: The primary analysis included participants with 24-month DXA (CalGo^®n = 29; placebo n = 30). Femoral-neck BMD was maintained with CalGo^® (+0.003 g/cm²; +0.4%) but declined with placebo (-0.017 g/cm²; -2.4%), yielding a significant baseline-adjusted between-group difference of +0.019 g/cm² (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.001-0.038; p = 0.044). Lumbar-spine loss was attenuated with CalGo^® (-0.005 g/cm²; -0.3%) versus placebo (-0.028 g/cm²; -3.4%); the adjusted difference favored CalGo^® (+0.026 g/cm²; p = 0.058). In exploratory responder analysis, ≥1% lumbar-spine gain was more likely with CalGo^® (32.5% vs. 11.4%; OR 3.61; p = 0.043). No treatment effects were observed at the distal radius, in P1NP or β-CTX-I, or in EQ-5D-3L/EQ-VAS. CalGo^® was well tolerated with no hepatic or renal safety signals. Conclusions: CalGo^® maintained femoral-neck bone mineral density and reduced lumbar-spine loss over 24 months in osteopenic women, with good tolerability. These findings support its potential role as a nutritional approach for maintaining bone health.