Candida albicans can survive in any pH environment of course but its the acidic low oxygen environment that causes it to produce acetaldehyde a toxin that anyone who has experienced a hangover can relate to.
If this were the case then we would all feel these effects all the time. Why? Because Candida is a normal part of everyone's body. It is kept in check though by the acids formed by our beneficial flora. These acids not only turn the Candida Growth gene off, but also keep the Candida in its benign (harmless) yeast form as opposed to the dangerous and aggressive fungal form created by an alkaline environment.
Interesting study showing that not only is Candida albicans a low acetylaldehyde producer, but also that the acetylaldehyde is being produced from ethanol, not from the Candida alone.
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=1953465
I am not sure about what ph favor candida to survive better. I found some scientific reports which stay candida albicans can grow better as a yeast in acid ph, but it can change to fungal form better in an alkaline ph. Otherwise, I know sodium bicarbonate is used to treat vaginal candidiasis in women. I may be wrong but I understand bacterias can not survive in very acid ph and fungus can not in very alkaline ph. This is a problem because we find contradictory information about it.
Actually you answered the question in your own post. I highlighted the section. Candida is dimorphic, which means it exists in two forms, a benign (harmless) yeast form, and a highly pathogenic and aggressive fungal form. The acidity does not promote the growth of the yeast form, the acidity just keeps the Candida in this form. In fact the acidity turns the Candida growth gene off. In an alkaline environment though two things happen. First the Candida growth gene is turned on, which is what causes the Candida to over grow. Secondly the alkalinity causes the Candida to convert in to its fungal form. In this form the Candida forms finger-like projections, also found on molds, which allows these pathogens to dig in to hard surfaces like organ tissues leading to the damage.
As far as the sodium bicarbonate being used to treat Candidiasis I explained this in an earlier post. It has NOTHING to do with creating an alkaline state. A high enough concentration of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will cause an osmotic shift causing the Candida to dehydrate. Same principle as we see with putting a fresh water fish in to saltwater. The osmotic shift will cause the fish to dehydrate as the fresher water moves from the fish cells in to the higher concentration of saltwater on the outside of the cells in an attempt to reach an equilibrium.
The issue I encountered is really simple, most fungus simply grows in an acidic environment
This is not true, and this persistent myth is why I included scientific references in my post. The fact is that fungi thrive in an alkaline environment. For example this is why antibiotics end up causing Candida overgrowth. The antibiotics kill off the beneficial acid forming Lactobacillus bacteria. This shifts the terrain pH to the alkaline side and the Candida flourishes.
More alkaline formin foods discourage their growth such as vegetables for example.
The "alkaline forming" foods help because they provide fibers that increase the growth of acid forming bacteria, and these acids control the Candida overgrowth by turning off the Candida growth gene. In addition the acidity keeps the Candida in a benign yeast form as opposed to its highly aggressive fungal form, which is formed from acidity.
High mineral waters with large amounts of bicarbonates are alkaline buffers which tend to discourage their growth.
Actually these encourage the growth of Candida, especially in the stomach since they neutralize the stomach acid. One of the reasons that the stomach is acidic is because the acidity helps to kill pathogens before they cause problems to the body.
There is more than enough literature even in agriculture in the use of alkaline buffers, such as baking soda for example to discourage fungus growth.
We are not plants. And using sodium bicarbonate on most plants will kill them. This is why you cannot water plants with softened water containing sodium chloride.
Most fungus simply don't grow if the alkalinity is higher as one of the basic issues.
This is not true. Read the research I posted.
In fact I have used on occassion a solution of ammonium chloride mixed with sodium cabonate for example, or baking soda to help with eczema, which for me is a fungus problem.
Eczema has NOTHING to do with fungus. It is partially an allergic response due to adrenal dysfunction and partially a toxicity issue from liver dysfunction.
In fact if a skin fungus exist, even a simple solution of ammonium chloride applied would almost instantly relief any itching or skin problems caused by a fungus, ammonium dissociates whenever it is in a water solution thus killing them, but they apparently dissociates more in an alkaline solution.
How ammonia compounds kill pathogens has NOTHING to do with acidity or alkalinity:
http://www.essind.com/FAQ/FAQDN-intro.htm
"How do quaternary disinfectants actually work?
Quat-based disinfectants carry a positive charge. Bacteria, viruses and fungi carry a negative charge. When a bacteria-laden surface is sprayed or mopped with a disinfectant, the charge distribution of the bacteria cell changes from negative to positive. This results in the disruption of the bacteria cell wall and eventual death to the microbe."
A great remedies of hair loss for example is due to fungus issues and this is why a mild borax, ammonium chloride, dilute sodium carbonate is one of my many arsenals in relieving them.
Hair loss has a number of causes. Hair loss from fungal infections is very rare.
In fact if the esophagus is subjected to long term acidity, candida growth becomes uncontrollable
The esophagus is NEVER subjected to long term acidity. The esophagus is kept primarily alkaline by saliva, which is alkaline and we swallow. The only time it is exposed to acids is with acid reflux or when we swallow an acidic substance such as lemon juice. But the pH is quickly returned to the alkaline side. There are beneficial acid forming bacteria that inhabit the mouth and esophagus though that produce traces of acid that control fungi. And as I mentioned earlier the use of antibiotics can lead to chronic fungal infections by killing off these beneficial bacteria causing the tissues to become too alkaline promoting the overgrowth of fungus.
One simple way of determine whether the body has sufficient alkalinity to discourage candida growth is both the checking of salivary pH and urinary pH, where if the pH is below 7, which is acid or less than neutral, candida isn't easily killed. An salivary pH below 7 is fairly common for a candida growth much of it is based on high dietary sugar of both high fats and high sugar.
Salivary pH is a joke. It does not accurately show the pH anywhere in the body other than the mouth at that second. The pH is the mouth is altered by a number of things including bacteria levels in the mouth, dryness of the mouth, mouth breathing, whether you brushed your teeth recently, what is left on your teeth from what you just ate or drank, etc.
Simple enough?
http://www.vagisil.com/kit/how.shtml
Exactly as I have been saying. The areas of the body where Candida normally inhabits are naturally acidic. From your link:
"Much like other parts of the body, a woman’s vagina has a pH. A healthy vagina is slightly acidic, with a pH usually in the range of 3.5 to 4.5."
It is this acidity (pH below 7) formed by the natually occurring beneficial flora that keep the Candida under control. As the pH increases (goes more towards the alkaline side) the Candida growth gene is turned on and the Candida goes from a harmless yeast form to a highly aggressive and pathogenic fungal form.
"Hair loss has a number of causes. Hair loss from fungal infections is very rare."
Couldn't a severe enough intestinal fungal overgrowth cause hairloss through malabsorption? I've had a severe case in which I've seen fungus/mold in my stool continuously for almost a year. My nails have ridges and I've lost some hair. As my condition has improved, the hair loss has slowed. My thyroid is fine, and aside from the infection I know of nothing else being wrong with me. Perhaps some here have mild cases, but many others have stories similar to mine.
The fungal overgrowth is a symptom, not a cause. The fungus grows out of control due to the lack of acids to keep it in control. Hydrochloric acid keeps it out of the stomach and lactic, acetic and fatty acids produced by the intestinal flora all keep it in check in the intestines. These same acids also help with nutrient absorption.