[The Medical Nutrition Research Unit: towards the new challenges of translational research]

In 2024, the Medical Nutrition Research Unit (MNRU) celebrates forty years since its foundation. Within the framework of this celebration, we have prepared a special supplement for the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) Medical Journal, with the purpose of spreading useful information for health professionals and society, regarding to two lines of research that have been decisive for the historical development and consolidation of our workgroup: the therapeutic use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the study of vitamin D. This Editorial also aims to briefly describe the global and national environment of nutritional status that prevails today, outline some characteristics regarding food and nutrition in Mexico, and report the findings and lines of research of enhanced scope and relevance during these 40 years of the MNRU. Following the new research guidelines of the IMSS and its Health Research Coordination, we are convinced that translational research is an effective way to benefit and improve the quality of life of citizens, facilitate the implementation and funding of new research, and establish an open dialogue with society and the scientific community of all disciplines, to address and resolve the nutritional and health problems that prevail in Mexico.