Anastasia Dimitropoulou Ph.D.

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Anastasia Dimitropoulou Ph.D. My health journey based on how nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices affect the gut/brain connection and improve overall wellbeing.

Exercising every day isn’t just a habit - it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for long-term health. Research con...
09/12/2025

Exercising every day isn’t just a habit - it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for long-term health. Research consistently shows that combining cardio and resistance training creates the ideal environment for building lean muscle, burning fat, and supporting metabolic health well into later life.

🔬 Why daily exercise works:
• Muscle building: Resistance training (like Body Pump) stimulates muscle protein synthesis and preserves lean mass - one of the strongest predictors of longevity and metabolic health.
• Fat loss: Cardio sessions such as Spinning and Acquagym elevate heart rate, increase caloric expenditure, and improve mitochondrial efficiency, helping your body burn fat more effectively.
• Healthy aging: Regular physical activity supports bone density, joint function, balance, and cognitive health. It also improves insulin sensitivity- key for preventing age-related metabolic decline.
• Lower inflammation: Both cardio and strength training reduce chronic low-grade inflammation by regulating cytokines, improving circulation, and enhancing antioxidant defenses. For those dealing with stress or inflammatory conditions, daily movement is one of the most evidence-based interventions.

🧠 The power of routine:
When exercise becomes part of your weekly rhythm, your brain builds neural pathways that turn intention into habit. A structured routine reduces decision fatigue, increases consistency, and keeps motivation stable over time.

✨ The goal isn’t intensity every day - it’s consistency. A mix of modalities ensures recovery, balanced strength, cardiovascular health, and long-term adherence.

Fueling your body intentionally on a ski trip can make a huge difference in your performance, energy, recovery, and over...
03/12/2025

Fueling your body intentionally on a ski trip can make a huge difference in your performance, energy, recovery, and overall inflammation. ⛷️🏔️

When you’re up in the mountains, your body works harder - cold temperatures, higher altitude, and long ski days all increase energy demands and oxidative stress. That’s why the foods you choose truly matter.

❌ Processed foods (like packaged snacks, pastries, fast food) may be convenient on trips, but they’re loaded with refined sugars, preservatives, and inflammatory fats that spike energy and crash recovery.

🍞 Many types of bread and heavy cheeses, especially ultra-processed or high-salt varieties common in ski resorts, can contribute to inflammation, water retention, and sluggish digestion. They crowd out more nutrient-dense options your body actually needs on the slopes ⛷️

✔️ Choose intentionally. Choose foods that fuel you.

🐟 Fatty fish:
• Rich in omega-3s, which reduce inflammation and support joint health (perfect for long ski days!)
• High-quality protein for muscle repair
• Provide vitamin D and B-vitamins for energy and immunity

🌈 Colorful vegetables — eat the rainbow:
Each color represents a different set of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and minerals.
• Red: lycopene for cell protection
• Orange: beta-carotene for immune strength
• Green: chlorophyll and folate for detox + recovery
• Purple/blue: anthocyanins for inflammation reduction
• Yellow: vitamin C for collagen and resilience

These nutrients help your body handle altitude stress, reduce oxidative damage from intense exercise, and keep your energy stable all day.

🌟 The key: Be intentional.

Choose whole, colorful, nutrient-dense foods.
Fuel your body with what supports your ski days - not what slows you down.

First   🏊‍♀️ Back — And Straight Into the Waves 🌊Today was my first cold-water swim in almost a month after being sick… ...
22/11/2025

First 🏊‍♀️ Back — And Straight Into the Waves 🌊

Today was my first cold-water swim in almost a month after being sick… and of course the lake decided to welcome me back with big waves and rough conditions. Exactly the kind of day that tests you.

I am proud I showed up, pushed through, and swam with the team. One step closer to the Coupe de Noël in just 1 month. 🏊‍♀️❄️

Why cold water? The science is real:

• Reduced inflammation: Cold immersion triggers vasoconstriction and shifts blood flow, helping lower inflammatory markers and aiding recovery.

• Stronger stress response: Repeated cold exposure trains the autonomic nervous system, improving your ability to handle physical and mental stress.

• Better mood + energy: Cold water spikes norepinephrine and endorphins, often improving mood, focus, and motivation for hours.

• Cardiorespiratory conditioning: Fighting waves and cold simultaneously boosts cardiovascular efficiency and breath control.

• Mental resilience: The “cold shock” teaches you to stay calm under pressure-exactly what competition demands.

Competition matters. It gives structure, purpose, and a reason to push past comfort. Training with a team adds accountability and intensity you simply can’t create alone. Every tough session like today builds confidence for race day.

Difficult conditions, freezing water, and a body still rebuilding…

But I did it with the the strong support of my ❤️ And that’s the win for today.

Next stop → Coupe de Noël. Let’s go. ❄️💪🌊
❤️ ❤️

Why cauliflower is a longevity powerhouse?🔬 1. Rich in glucosinolates for cellular protectionCauliflower contains sulfur...
19/11/2025

Why cauliflower is a longevity powerhouse?

🔬 1. Rich in glucosinolates for cellular protection

Cauliflower contains sulfur-based compounds that help your body activate detoxification pathways and reduce oxidative stress—two key processes linked to longer healthspan.

🧠 2. Supports neurotransmitter balance & brain health

It’s packed with choline, a vital nutrient for memory, learning, and nervous system communication. Choline also plays a role in supporting a calmer mood and sharper cognition.

🔥 3. Anti-inflammatory & gut-friendly

Its high fiber content feeds beneficial gut bacteria that help regulate inflammation, digestion, and metabolic health. A healthy microbiome is directly linked to better immune function and longevity.

💛 4. Nutrient density without glucose spikes

Low in calories and low-glycemic, cauliflower stabilizes blood sugar, supports insulin sensitivity, and helps maintain an optimal weight—one of the strongest predictors of long-term metabolic health.

🦴 5. Supports bone + connective tissue health

With vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants, cauliflower helps collagen formation and reduces inflammation—beneficial for joints, skin, and overall structural health.

✨ Bottom line: Cauliflower is one of those rare foods that nourishes your cells, hormones, brain, and metabolism while supporting graceful aging from the inside out. And so easy to make and tasty when using an air fryer - some & some herbs and you have a delicious meal or a side dish!
🌈

Last weekend, I was so proud to see my mother and my 💙 crossing the finish line of the  , the most legendary marathon in...
15/11/2025

Last weekend, I was so proud to see my mother and my 💙 crossing the finish line of the , the most legendary marathon in the world, tracing the footsteps of Pheidippides and culminating in the breathtaking finish inside the ancient Panathenaic Stadium🏛️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

My mom ran the 10K with fantastic time, proving once again that with focus, strength, and heart, there is nothing you cannot do. Watching her cross that historic finish line brought tears to my eyes. 💙 Her days aren’t easy - caring full-time for my dad as he navigates advanced Alzheimer’s is a journey filled with challenges and heavy moments. But she shows up every single day. She still walks, she still moves, she still swims and runs and she still takes care of herself so she can keep taking care of him. That is perseverance. That is love. That is power. 🕊️❤️

And then there’s Rodrigo - a testament to what consistency and commitment can do. Running wasn’t always his thing, but over these past few of years, he’s put in the miles, the discipline, the early mornings, the sweat… and he rocked this race like a champ🥇 So proud of your growth and drive, proving that it’s never too late to start something new and excel.

This weekend reminded me of what’s possible when we take care of our health - strong body, strong mind, strong spirit. Movement is medicine. Perseverance is fuel. And no matter where we are in life, we can always choose to rise.

Mom, Rodrigo - you two are absolute inspirations. Athens Marathon 10K…you made history in the birthplace of history. 🇬🇷🏛️

Here’s to strength, to health, to showing up every day… and to those unforgettable finish lines. 💫
💪 ❤️

Congrats 🎈 to my champion 🥇, my   & my   for accomplishing another full marathon, and this time in his country  ♥️ and i...
26/10/2025

Congrats 🎈 to my champion 🥇, my & my for accomplishing another full marathon, and this time in his country ♥️ and in beautiful Lisboa. The course was started from Carcavelos to Cascais and back to the center in a beautiful course along the water 🌊

Besides the horribly warm & humid weather conditions, he enjoyed it & made it full of energy & enthusiasm to the finish line! 💪🧿🙏 It takes extreme focus, dedication, persistence & consistent trainings, and a lot of motivation to train for a marathon and this men proved one more time that he has it all ♥️

So so proud my love 😍 Now what’s the next challenge?

Ready for tomorrow’s full marathon  🇵🇹! So proud already of the dedication, focus, hard work, many runs and hours of tra...
24/10/2025

Ready for tomorrow’s full marathon 🇵🇹! So proud already of the dedication, focus, hard work, many runs and hours of training to get ready 💪 🏃🏻‍♂️ 🏅

Sunday meal 🥘 prep for the week.From 👩‍🌾 to 🍴: fresh, locally grown veggies 🥦 🥕🍆 & lots of protein for some healthy & ea...
20/10/2025

Sunday meal 🥘 prep for the week.

From 👩‍🌾 to 🍴: fresh, locally grown veggies 🥦 🥕🍆 & lots of protein for some healthy & easy lunches for the week.

Why is protein important to help build muscle & reduce fat:

💪 Counteracts Muscle Loss: starting in your 40s, estrogen levels decline, which accelerates muscle loss. Muscle is metabolically active — it burns calories even at rest and supports joint stability. Eating enough protein (and combining it with strength or resistance training) helps preserve and rebuild lean muscle tissue, slowing that natural loss.
🔥 Boosts Metabolism: because muscle burns more calories than fat, maintaining or building muscle through adequate protein intake helps keep your metabolism higher.
🍽️ Improves Satiety and Reduces Cravings: protein keeps you full longer than carbohydrates or fats. This helps regulate appetite and control insulin levels.
🦴 Supports Bone Health: protein is essential for bone matrix maintenance and calcium absorption, both of which are crucial as estrogen decline increases the risk of osteoporosis.
🌿 Enhances Recovery and Reduces Inflammation: protein provides amino acids (like leucine and glutamine) that support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and improve recovery — particularly valuable if you’re exercising or managing joint issues.

Ready for another week 🙏♥️🙏
🌈 ❤️ 💪

Smile of happiness 😊 after my Sunday morning core/bike 🚴🏻‍♀️ class with my fav instructor ❤️ And our Saturday morning ri...
19/10/2025

Smile of happiness 😊 after my Sunday morning core/bike 🚴🏻‍♀️ class with my fav instructor ❤️ And our Saturday morning ride 🚴 for our with the in preparation of the 2025.

Getting back on track & getting stronger & stronger, especially after these few past tough years trying to manage extreme stress & my own biological 🧬 changes.

Far away from mastering it, but focusing on exercising right & consistently plus eating much more protein, avoiding carbs, and taking then right supplements & hormones is a good start. Not just for the body but mainly for the brain 🧠, and especially the female brain 🧠

Let’s see where this journey will bring me 🩷

Ready for a Saturday morning half-marathon in our Greek paradise ☀️ 🇬🇷 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻🏃🏻‍♂️ 🇬🇷 ☀️
27/09/2025

Ready for a Saturday morning half-marathon in our Greek paradise ☀️ 🇬🇷 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻🏃🏻‍♂️ 🇬🇷 ☀️

A new vacation week started with another early morning run 🏃🏻 in preparation for the  A small or a longer run 🏃🏻 when on...
22/09/2025

A new vacation week started with another early morning run 🏃🏻 in preparation for the

A small or a longer run 🏃🏻 when on vacation is important to keep up the training and the muscles 💪 strong when preparing for another race. Stopping any activity, even when not preparing for a race, is not a good technique to keep your body strong just to relax. You can relax throughout the day when on vacation but running 🏃🏻, walking 🚶 , swimming 🏊, biking 🚴🏻‍♂️ or surfing 🏄🏻‍♀️ are important for your everyday & long-term health 💪🫀🫁🧠

Happy week & begging of fall 🍁 Even though summer will just have to continue for us ☀️💙☀️

This is the way to keep up your overall health 🏃🏻 Even when you are on vacation, get up early, put on your runnning shoe...
17/09/2025

This is the way to keep up your overall health 🏃🏻

Even when you are on vacation, get up early, put on your runnning shoes 👟 & go for a run by the sea 🌊 Not only you get your body moving, but you remove all the toxins and relax by the beautiful nature & fresh air of the islands 🏝️

For us vacation = beach 🏖️ No other way to get your vitamin D💪, your ☀️

Did you know? Just 15–20 minutes of sun exposure can help your body produce vitamin D, essential for:
🔹 Strong bones – supports calcium absorption
🔹 Healthy immunity – helps fight infections
🔹 Balanced mood – linked to serotonin production

🌞 Midday sun (10AM–2PM) is most effective! A little daily exposure + SPF afterwards = the perfect balance.

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Evexia by Ani: My journey to optimum health & well-being

A Neuroscientist by training, I spent several years of laboratory and clinical testing while researching the right nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices that could help manage my own stress- and nutrition-related gastrointestinal symptoms that had led to inflammation and low energy levels. I educated myself about the link between the microbiome (ie. the bacteria in our gut) and our overall health, particularly on brain health and healthy aging.

Using my science background and my “modified” Greek nutrition and way of living, I developed the tools that have resolved my own symptoms and at the same time helped others in their own journeys towards a healthy and stress-free lifestyle. I will provide quality, science-based and comprehensive health and wellness tips and tell you what works and what doesn’t for me. I invite you to follow my story and actively engage with the exciting prospects and possibilities that will lead to immediate benefits to your body and mind. Read below for nutrition tips with scientific evidence, recipes, exercise and much more!

Welcome to my Evexia journey!