Milestones: Mar. 4, 1985

DIED. Nathan Pritikin, 69, health and fitness guru whose regimen of low- cholesterol diet and exercise attracted thousands of grateful disciples who claimed both weight loss and amelioration of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes symptoms; by his own hand while suffering from advanced leukemia; in Albany. Pritikin became a self-taught nutritionist after he was diagnosed as having heart disease at age 40. He promoted his diet plan, consisting mostly of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain breads, in $3,675 two-week programs at his longevity centers and through several books.