Here is why. Unsaturated oils like vegetable oil, corn oil, safflower oil just to name a few oxidize when exposed to any heat, even room temperature heat. The problem with oxidation in oils is that it makes it rancid and produces Free Radicals. Free Radicals are molecules that are missing a critical component and steal what they need from your healthy cells, altering your DNA which accelerates aging and over 90% of all diseases we suffer from today. This is BAD, and why you should move your family away from these oils, and stop cooking with them. Cooking with these oils accelerates oxidation which produces more Free Radicals.
One other really cool fact that I as a mom found really interesting is that Coconut Oil contains Lauric Acid, which is a natural compound found in breast milk. Lauric acid is super important because it strengthens your immune system.
I've recently moved over to cooking with Coconut Oil. Coconut Oil is saturated and heat stable so that it doesn't get damaged when you cook with it, and it does not oxidize... so NO FREE RADICALS are getting into my kids bodies destroying their healthy cells. You can cook with it, bake with it, and mix it up for dressings and other healthy treats.
Other benefits:
PROMOTES heart health
SUPPORTS the Immune System
Gives you ENERGY
SUPPORTS healthy metabolism
PROMOTES weight loss
MAINTAIN normal Cholesterol levels
It also doubles as an excellent moisturizer for your skin :)
Be choosy when purchasing Coconut oil. I use Fresh Shores Extra Virgin Coconut Oil that I find in my local health food store. Find one that is cold pressed, organic, made with fresh coconuts (instead of dried "copra" used in cheap oils), not refined or bleached.