Why do kidney patients need sodium bicarbonate tablets?

The kidneys play a role of eliminating the acids that are
produced when proteins and fats are digested. When the kidneys are not doing this, it
increases the acid levels in the blood which can be very harmful and cause damage to the
heart, affect bones and interfere in metabolism. It also breaks down muscles. To prevent
these from happening sodium carbonate tablets are given to people whose kidneys are not
functioning properly and who are on dialysis or going to get a kidney transplant. The
sodium bicarbonate tablets restore the acid level in the blood to the normal
range.