Two large studies have singled out seven genes that are associated with Osteoporosis.

The first study, conducted by researchers in London, identifies two gene mutations that appear to predict the risk for the disease for twenty percent of Caucasian people.

The second study found variations in five genetic regions that are linked to bone density and Osteoporosis.

Researchers say identifying these genes will not have an immediate impact on diagnosis or treatment, rather they will be used in the lab as potential targets for new drugs.

They also say finding these genes has allowed them to understand some of the biological pathways involved in disease development.

In other medical news…

And the diet advice all pregnant women have been waiting for… a new study from Yale finds women who ate five or more servings of chocolate each week during their third trimester were 40% less likely to develop Pre-Eclampsia, which is a serious complication of pregnancy marked by high blood pressure.

Researchers think the key is a chemical in chocolate called Theobromine, which may improve circulation.

Dark chocolate in particular is rich in Theobromine.