The Unit for Nutrition Research (UNR) was established in September 1997 by the pioneer Professor Inga Thorsdottir who has been the director of the Unit from the establishment. UNR is part of the Landspitali – University Hospital and the University of Iceland. UNR´s facilities are located at the Landspitali – University Hospital, Hringbraut, Reykjavik and it also shares facilities with the Clinical Nutrition Department of the Landspitali – University Hospital at Eiriksgata 29, Reykjavik.

UNR is working on research on nutritional status and clinical nutritional problems. UNR has access to a laboratory at the Landspitali – University Hospital and has the authority over some equipment for body composition and nutritional status.

The nutritional status of various groups of patients has been evaluated. Nutritionists set up and perform experiments and give nutritional guidelines. UNR is responsible for the procedures used in the evaluation process of nutritional status and that the procedures used in the research on nutritional status and the intake of food and nutrients are adequate.

Guidelines and strategy on the nutrition of pregnant women and the nutrition of infants is being worked on at UNR as well as Nordic Nutrition Recommendations.
UNR gets most of its funding through international and Icelandic research funds.
Collaboration between UNR and the University of Iceland is strong when it comes to teaching and research. Further, widespread collaboration is between UNR and other Icelandic, Scandinavian and European parties.